The Influence of Attachment Styles and Communication Patterns on Marital Satisfaction

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18712368

Abstract

This study examined whether communication patterns explain how insecure attachment relates to marital satisfaction among Pakistani married adults. Using a cross-sectional design, 160 married adults (age range = 20–53 years) completed the Experiences in Close Relationships–Short Form (ECR-S), the Communication Patterns Questionnaire–Short Form (CPQ-SF), and the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale. Pearson correlations, multiple regression, and mediation analyses (Hayes PROCESS Model 4 with 5,000 bootstrap resamples) were conducted. Insecure attachment was associated with lower marital satisfaction and lower positive interaction. Positive interaction significantly mediated the association between insecure attachment and marital satisfaction (indirect effect = −0.32, 95% bootstrap CI [−0.44, −0.22]). In contrast, demand/withdraw communication did not carry a significant indirect effect because insecure attachment was not a reliable predictor of demand/withdraw in this sample (indirect effect = −0.01, 95% bootstrap CI [−0.05, 0.01]). Findings highlight the practical value of strengthening constructive couple communication, especially in collectivistic settings where relationship processes are embedded within broader family systems. The study contributes culturally relevant insights into relationship dynamics in South Asian societies and offers empirical guidance for developing attachment-informed marital interventions tailored to collectivist contexts.